Balinskis has spent most of the season with the Panthers but is returning from a one-game stint with the Charlotte Checkers, where he scored one point (1G / 0A). In 15 games with the Panthers, the Latvian defender has two points (1G / 1A), six penalty minutes, and a +1 plus/minus rating.
Schmid gets the rare start on back-to-back nights as he will be the surprise yet deserved starter for the Devils on Friday. The Devils' starting job has swung firmly in Schmid's favour for the first time this season, as the 23-year-old netminder stopped all eight shots he faced in relief of Vitek Vanecek on Tuesday before allowing just three goals on 47 shots in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Flyers. After a slow start to the season, Schmid currently boasts a .904 SV% thanks to his recent hot streak, and he couldn't ask for a better matchup to keep things rolling with the Devils being massive -500 favourites over the Sharks on Friday.
Bjornfot did not see any action in his most recent call up to Los Angeles having only appeared for the team on October 11th and has been reassigned to Ontario (AHL) Friday. The 22-year-old defensemen heads back to the minors, where he has yet to pick up a point in three games during his previous AHL stint this season.
Balinskis had a goal, an assist, 16 SOG, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 15 games played so far in 2023-24 but has been loaned back to Charlotte (AHL) on Friday. The 27-year-old defensemen will head to the Checkers for the first time in his career after making his NHL and North American debut this season.
Gudas did not play on Tuesday after exiting the previous game for the Ducks, playing only 13:02, with a lower-body injury, but is expected to return to their lineup on Thursday. Gudas, known mostly for his heavy-hitting, is pacing for his best offensive season in seven years, with seven points (4G / 3A) in 21 games. In contrast, he is averaging only 2.76 hits per game, his lowest output over the last four seasons.
Markstrom was not available to play in the Flames' most recent game, a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, due to an illness, but has been cleared to play and will return to the stater's crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom struggled against the Dallas Stars less than a week ago, allowing four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%), but was very strong in the third period, securing a 7-4 victory for the Flames. Recent success against the Stars aside, the Flames are +119 home underdogs as the Stars have been tremendous on the road this season, posting a stellar 8-1-1 record.
Markstrom was a full participant at practice and will likely be available to return to the crease for the Flames on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom was the starting goalie for the Flames one week ago against the Stars, saving 24 of 28 shots (.857 SV%), in a 7-4 victory.
Gudas has been an offensive juggernaut for his own standards in his first season in Anaheim with four goals, seven points, 37 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus but is now day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The 33-year-old bruising defender is in his 12th NHL season and has never scored more than six goals ever.
Markstrom was previously scheduled to start Monday night's game against the Golden Knights but was a late scratch due to an illness. Dan Vladar will get the start in his absence and the Flames signed goaltender Dustin Nickel to an amateur tryout agreement to serve as the backup on Monday.
Markstrom had the night off in favour of Dan Vladar on Saturday but will return to the starter's crease on Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Markstrom has a serviceable 2.93 GAA and .901 SV% through 14 games this season (5-7-2) but has allowed four goals (.887 SV%) in each of his last three outings (1-1-1). The Flames are slight -103 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team that, after an 11-0-1 start, is 3-5-1 in their last nine and have been shut out in two of their last three outings (1-2-0).
Kulikov has six points (0G / 6A) in 19 games and was a healthy scratch in the last two games for the Panthers but will return to the lineup on Monday in favour of Uvis Balinskis. Kulikov and Balinskis will likely continue to rotate in and out of the lineup now that Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour have returned from injuries.
Balinskis has two points (1G / 1A) in 15 games this season and will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Dmitry Kulikov to return to the Panthers' lineup. Balinskis has been a healthy scratch in four of the last five games for the Panthers, a trend that will likely continue now that Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour have returned from injuries.
Markstrom will be the starting goalie for the Flames for the front end of their back-to-back on Friday. Markstrom has allowed four goals in consecutive games, both losses. He was also unspectacular against Friday's opponent, the Dallas Stars, on November 1st when he allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 4-3 loss. The Flames are +159 road underdogs against a Stars team that has scored three or more goals in six of their last seven outings (5-1-1).
